In a shocking development that has cast a shadow over Indian aviation, an Air India flight bound for London crashed during take-off at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday evening. Preliminary reports indicate that as many as 242 passengers were on board, with several injuries reported. The aircraft had a full capacity of 300, underlining the scale of what could have been a far greater tragedy.
The crash occurred during routine operations on the tarmac, with eyewitnesses from nearby Meghaninagar reporting three loud explosions followed by thick plumes of smoke. The blaze was visible from as far as Dharpur, sending shockwaves across the city. Emergency response was swift — more than five fire-fighting vehicles from different divisions of the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services were immediately deployed to the site, where firefighting and rescue operations continue.
While the cause of the crash remains unknown, both Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have launched internal inquiries. A technical team is assessing damage to the aircraft, and the airport has shut down roads leading to the crash site to control movement and ensure safety.
The aviation sector, already under scrutiny for safety lapses in recent months, must now confront renewed questions around operational discipline, aircraft maintenance, and response preparedness. This incident, coming at a time of increasing air travel traffic post-COVID, raises critical concerns around passenger safety on India’s runways.
We wait anxiously for a clearer picture to emerge: the exact toll, the technical reasons, and accountability. But the priority must remain on rescue and medical response. But in the days to come, tough questions will — and must — be asked.